On June 7, 2022, the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) and the Austrian Federal Ministry of Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology (BMK) successfully held the second Joint Working Group Meeting regarding the Chinese-Austrian cooperation in the field of applied science and innovation by video link. The Chinese and Austrian delegations were respectively led by Dai Gang, Director-General of the Department of International Cooperation of MOST, and Henriette Spyra, Director-General of Innovation and Technology of BMK.

 

The two sides had an exchange of views on their respective science, technology and innovation strategies and policy priorities, took stock of the outcomes and experience of China-Austria science, technology and innovation (STI) cooperation, and reviewed the implementation of China-Austria joint funding mechanism,China-Austria Scientific and Technological Innovation Pitchinar events, the Austrian Technology Day, and the innovation cooperation between Chinese provinces and cities and Austria; discussed priority areas and initiatives for future STI cooperation and agreed on the next step of cooperation. The two ministries are expected to launch a new round of call for innovation cooperation projects in the field of applied research in the autumn of 2022, with a focus on supporting applied technology R&D and innovation cooperation between Chinese and Austrian enterprises, research institutions and universities. Looking ahead, both sides expressed their willingness to further strengthen results-oriented and efficient STI cooperation, jointly address global challenges and make positive contributions to the healthy economic and social development of the two countries and the world.

 

Zhao Jing, Deputy Director-General of the Department of International Cooperation of MOST, Wu Cheng, Deputy Director-General of the China Science and Technology Exchange Center, Lei Fengyun, Science and Technology Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Austria, and Max Pfeiler, Technical Counselor of the Austrian Embassy in China, attended the meeting.